Variety can be a curse or a curve ball when it comes to selection

Ewen McKenzie

There are a lot of factors that go into selecting a team and they are not always empirical or scientifically based.One of the first considerations to go through my mind after a match is picking the team for next week.

Obviously, the approach of choosing the notional team straight after a game is fraught with danger as the emotional roller-coaster that surrounds winning and losing could have half the team being changed after a poor result and none following a win.

At the Reds, selection is something we devote an enormous amount of time to in the days that follow a game. The fact that it enters your thought process straight after a match highlights the importance of getting it right.

There is a lot to consider when choosing your side; along with the team's tactics for the week, all have a heavy influence. But, there is more to it than that and as a coach you find yourself asking many questions.

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Can, and has, this player answered the call before; can he outperform his opponent; and does he know what it takes to win?

These are the types of attitudinal elements that need to be considered and you need to have some answers before you commit.

However, one of the biggest elements that is often overlooked is how each individual fits into the specific weekly game plan. Some teams prefer to play the same team each week, but the importance of ensuring the tactics you devised are good enough to negate your opponent and enhance your opportunities can't be overstated enough.

For example, if you are playing a team with a good lineout and likes to maul, then it would be silly to give them that opportunity - you don't kick the ball out. If a team thrives on counter-attack then don't kick the ball to them, instead kick it 10 rows into the grandstand and make them win the ball before they get to use it.

Sounds simple enough but for me the real enjoyment in coaching is to create a winning strategy and then get the players to embrace and trust in the plan before taking on the responsibility of executing it on the field.

Once you have determined your approach then you need to back it up with players who can understand the plan, who can execute the detail under pressure and who have skills that will ensure it happens.

So, when you are picking players you need to have one eye on how you are going to get the ball, how you are going to use it and then obviously how you are going to retain it. The public enjoys the notion of "horses for courses" as a catch-all phrase but that is perhaps a bit simplistic and does not give the importance of the game plan enough credit.

At the Reds we have become accustomed to dramatically changing our game plan depending on the circumstances and opponent, while employing a new set of tactics. Some argue this leads to confusion but a 72 per cent winning rate over the past three or so seasons means it can't all be bad.

Naturally, over time the game-plan elements become familiar so it's possible to use and park different approaches for different teams while keeping an element of surprise week to week. There is nothing better than a rival not quite sure what is going to happen next.

Uncertainty is a most powerful tool, and if you can employ it against your opponent then brilliant. Use it against yourself and then it can be your undoing.

I have been amazed at how many teams can function with players not knowing if they are in or out of a team as late as two days before a match. I still recall one rugby league team not finalising their line-up until the day of the game.

Anyone can be good at writing down a list of good players. Some can even articulate why they are good players and what they might bring to the table. The real challenge is to take all of that then work out whether their abilities are going to help or hinder your tactical approach to winning - the ultimate task set for the group.

Picking players is the easy part, getting them to collectively perform is the challenge.

14 comments so far

I can see Robbie Deans, eyes screwed tight, tongue stuck out the side of his mouth, taking notes furiously as someone reads this to him,,,As for Cheika, if he applies Ewan's questions to the Tahs when delivering his panic-stricken line-up change- 'Can, and has, this player answered the call before; can he outperform his opponent; and does he know what it takes to win?'He would get 'Yes, No and No'...Where does that leave him?...

Commenter

DrToony

Location

Brisbane

Date and time

March 13, 2013, 11:04PM

This article says nothing. It's the sport coaches equivalent to political rhetoric. I love how Idiots read anything that Mckenzie writes and then spout on about him being a coaching genius. He is a good coach 1 super14 title means a bit but not that much. Even Sam Stosur won one grand slam.

Commenter

Nato

Location

Sydney

Date and time

March 14, 2013, 4:32PM

Poor Nato, I know it must be hard.If you can't win a Super title for love nor money (because your team and fans are bereft of the first and squandered the other) best to just trash the significance of other's achievements... Whatever makes you feel better.Ewan, even took the Tahs to two Super finals, back before they were a gift 4 points for touring Super provinces... Look how that turned out?... Have you got any other 'hack' coaching or support staff that you don't need who might help the Reds to another title?...

Commenter

DrToony

Location

Brisbane

Date and time

March 14, 2013, 5:24PM

Nato, The scary thing is, you don't have to be a coaching genius when your competition in the Australian rugby realm is currently Deans and Cheika.Robbie aside though, as his days with the Crusaders, injury challenges and occasional outstanding results with the Wallabies are a credit to the man.Cheika's response to the Brumbies debacle was embarrassing. He would do well to read Ewan's advice above rather than just changing half the team... That is if he ever finds the time to read it in between blaming the referee. That old chestnut always washes over well...Thank goodness for Jake White, a reminder that Ewan does have to do more than just get up in the morning to appear a coaching genius.Also, things are still black and white in my world... But getting more and more black in Waratah world I suspect... soon the lights will be out for 2013.

Commenter

DrToony

Location

Brisbane

Date and time

March 14, 2013, 5:46PM

Don't think you can apply the torch to Cheika here. What McKenzie is saying is its a bonus to have a squad that has players that you can chop & change to fit the gameplan you want to play each week. Unfortunately for Cheika, he inherited a fully complete squad with no budget to make changes this year. He has to play the players he has in the squad as best he can.

Commenter

Shane D

Location

Perth

Date and time

March 15, 2013, 2:38PM

Yep you'll have to dumb this down for Deans, Link. As we have seen over the last five years this is way way over his head. Reserves , what are they for, playground equipment ?Don't new selections happen only when a Tah or fave is injured ... bro ?

Commenter

johnny-boy

Date and time

March 14, 2013, 11:41AM

Good article Link - is there any chance you might have some spare time to coach our Cricket team?

Commenter

dbsurfs

Date and time

March 14, 2013, 12:02PM

At yet Link you continue to fudge the QLD backline selection.

You had a very good fullback who is now in no-mans land. We now do no counter-attacking from the back when the ball is kicked deep. With centres you need to pick and stick as they have to combine with each other and the flyhalf.

Without question you know what you are doing with the forwards as they are the one part of the team that is peforming each week. But the backs get worse each week. Man up, admit you were wrong and fix it, or stick to your guns and keep getting the same result.

Even better, be one of the few forwards who understands a backline.

Commenter

kp

Location

brisbane

Date and time

March 14, 2013, 1:38PM

Stick to your guns, we like the results you're getting, Link. As many have noted, such thinking would be lost on quite a few, including Deans. It'll take wild horses and Koalas to beat the lions, not bloody wallflowers...

Commenter

Cattledog

Date and time

March 14, 2013, 3:27PM

You like a faltering backline who score fewer and fewer tries cattledog? That would make you either a forward or an englishman.

And Ruckin Oaf, I watch every game and go to most, although lately the urge to attend is getting less and less due to the quality of backline play diminishing.

Think I am wrong young son? Ask anyone in the crowd and they say the same thing. The Reds are employing power runners, not skillful runners and that is the difference. Go back to your collection and watch the Reds backline from 3 years ago and watch them today - there is daylight between the skill and entertainment factor they provide.